Dear Families,
It is with a warm and open heart that I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and soon to be a Happy New Year!  We're entering a new decade too.  

I hope you have an enjoyable and safe holiday with all your family and friends.  We all lead such busy lives, but I believe the holidays are a time to slow down, reflect and think about all the ones we love, cherish and respect.  



I am very blessed to have such caring, loving, and amazing family, friends, and students in my life.  Speaking of students, I will certainly miss seeing your child’s enthusiastic and beautiful smile over the holidays and I am delighted we’ll all be reunited and get back into our daily routine of fun and learning in January!  See you on the 6th.



Empathy Assembly:
What a powerful performance yesterday by my students!!  I am sooo proud of everyone for their dedication, hard work, and efforts in preparation for this assembly.  Amazing work boys and girls!  



If you were able to attend, thank you so much for your support.  I know it meant a lot to the class. I’m sure you're beaming with pride just as much as I am :) A memorable moment which we'll seal deeply in our hearts forever!


Empathy Recipients:
Congratulations to Liam and Lou for receiving the Empathy award!  You truly demonstrate this trait DAILY in your thoughts, words, and actions! 


Watching you both go out of your way to show your peers and teachers that you care about them is truly a special quality!!  You make this world a better place :)  Thank you for BEING YOU!

My Family:
I would also like to personally thank 3 special people in my life for attending yesterday's performance. Thank you to Mr. Roth, Mrs. Roth, and my Ma who came to support us! Your continued caring and nurturing ways in ALL my teaching endeavours is appreciated, always!!  I love you!!





Santa's Visit to Help Support My Friends' House:
Santa's fourth visit in a row to our school was a MASSIVE success because of all the wonderful students and families who donated to My Friends' House!  











The leadership team did a total count and here are the numbers:  toys/stationary - 38 items ; toilet paper/paper towel/tissues - 45 items ; hygiene products - 194 items ; food - 64 items ; A GRAND TOTAL - 364 items!! 


I delivered all the donations today during my lunch break and the girls at My Friends' House were in awe of how much we had!  2 CARS FULL of stuff!!  Thank you, THANK YOU!!



I know Santa's heart was filled with joy, too!!  He is so proud of each and every one of you for sharing your gift of giving to others who need it.  









Thank you so much for your generous contributions :)  Here at Nottawa Elementary, we know the true spirit of Christmas!  Maybe next year, Santa will be back to visit us again!!

Food & Toy Drive:
The spirit of giving from Nottawa families doesn't stop here!!  Check out the photo below of EVERYTHING from this endeavour!!


Holiday Happy Mail:
Thank you to all my students who completed their card and letter for a senior at Sunset Manor!  I know the elders who receive and read your cards will be delighted!!  It will brighten their hearts this holiday season.  This act of kindness will last a lifetime for them!!


Thank you to Ms. Deruiter for going to Sunset Manor after school today to deliver our messages.  We really appreciate it!! 

PJ Day:
Thank you to all the staff and students who dressed up in their PJ’s for our movie day to support the leadership team in their initiative to continue raising school spirit!  


It was a FUN day for one and ALL!  Look at all those cozy jammies, blankies, and stuffies!


Thank You:
I would like to take this moment to extend my gratitude to all my families and their children who took the time, thought, and energy to make a donation to My Friends' House, or choosing to give me a gift for Christmas!  I will cherish them ALL.  


It means the absolute world to me knowing that I have your unconditional love and support.  Also, knowing that you believe in me as your child’s teacher is something that I value very much.  My students are my greatest gift!  


It has been a tremendous school year thus far, and I look forward to creating many more beautiful memories in 2020!  I'm SO HAPPY to be part of the Nighthawk family!! Again, parents thank you so much for your generous contributions!! 

Business Fair:
Thank you to all the staff and students for supporting this year's Grade 8 business fair.  Our gym looked fantastic with all the creative business ideas!  I was in awe!  It was a tremendous success and helped raise funds ($7, 600) for their grade 8 trip to Toronto in the spring.  Way to go Nighthawks!












Speeches: 
Although speeches are a grade 4 to 8 assignment, I am providing our grade 3's with this opportunity too as it will help prepare students for next year.  The reason I assigned this task earlier this week is for students to think about a topic and do some research over the holidays :)  

I'm already hearing some kids buzzing about their enthusiasm to write one which is wonderful to hear!

Below I have tips to guide students for their speech presentations.  Have a look!

SPEECH WRITING TIP #1:
KNOW - Know your audience and be sure to pick a topic that members are likely to enjoy.  Make sure word choices are appropriate for your audience. 

SPEECH WRITING TIP #2:
BE REAL - Write about things you know.  If you choose a topic you are interested in, chances are your enthusiasm will spill over into your speech.

SPEECH WRITING TIP #3:
BRAINSTORM - Carry a rough paper to write on with you at all times.  You never know when ideas, phrases or thoughts for your speech will come to you.  Be prepared to write them down so you won't forget them.

SPEECH WRITING TIP #4:
ORGANIZE - Every speech should have a strong introduction, body and conclusion.  Organize your ideas, data and scraps of paper into clear and logical sections.  Anything that doesn't fit into a few major points should be discarded.

SPEECH WRITING TIP #5:
REVISE - Chances are the first written draft of your speech won't be perfect.  Read over your speech to revise and edit for content, word choice and timing.

SPEECH WRITING TIP #6:
AUDIO EDIT - Read your speech aloud and hear it as the audience will hear it.  Replace any unclear words or phrases with more effective ones.

SPEECH WRITING TIP #7:
THINK - Think of an attention getting, sparkling introduction and an impact-making, memorable conclusion to your speech.

SPEECH WRITING TIP #8:
KNOW - Practice and time your speech in front of friends, relatives and the mirror. People tend to speak more quickly when they are nervous so keep this in mind when timing your speech at home.

Bowls for Beds:
On Fri. Jan. 10th, your child will participate in supporting Home Horizon an organization to support Homeless Youth in our area. 


Please read over the green note (see above) that came home in your child's agenda today!  If you wish to purchase their bowl, please sign and return the form by Jan. 10th, 2020.

Cross-Country Skiing & Scientists in the Classroom:
Please visit our School Cash Online tool to see the following opportunities for the grade 4 students.  All permission forms and money must be submitted online for Mrs. Beattie.  Please regularly check it so your child meets the deadlines for field trips.  Thank you.

The grade 4's will going cross-country skiing this year!  Our first session will be on Wednesday January 15th, 2020.  We will be going every Wednesday for a total of four weeks!  Amazing!

Image result for cross country skiing cartoon

Additionally, as part of the grade 4 science curriculum, we have the pleasure of having Scientists in the Classroom!  It is a very engaging and wonderful experience for the kids as they get to do experiments and enjoy being interactive with models!  

Image result for science kids clipart

This opportunity will go live on school cash online on Tues. Jan. 7th and cost is $7 / student.  Stay tuned grade 4 parents!
 
Max & Felix:
Thank you boys for using your own money to purchase a game for our classroom family to enjoy!  You took time at the business fair to think about your peers and my feelings!  This truly filled our buckets!!


Orin:
Thank you Orin for providing your peers with a special gift before the holidays!  Everyone was very appreciative of the festive pencils and erasers you handed out.  They have come in really handy as we completed some Christmas art work this week! 



Raelynn:
Thank you for working so hard on your social studies project and teaching your peers all about New Brunswick!  Your bristol board presentation was wonderful and your efforts are appreciated.


Mrs. Eichenberger:
Best wishes to my colleague, friend, and cherished Kindergarten educator!!  This isn't a goodbye, it is a see you later :-)  



Your dedication over the years to our staff, students, and the Nottawa community is valued!!  We wish you well as you embark upon your new endeavours with your family business.  We have every confidence you will continue to shine your bright and beautiful light!!  Love ya, girl!



Mindfulness:
Below is the song we performed at our empathy assembly yesterday!  They did a wonderful job with their singing and using their assigned instruments to accompany the song!  It's a very catchy tune with powerful words and images :)



Ask your child what the songwriter's message is!  Maybe over the holiday, they may even perform it again for you!

Growth Mindset:



Namaste, 
Ms. Gill




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